Interesting to ask. I hear brain damage can mimic the symptoms but is it really autism? If someone had a head injury or brain damage from birth or at a few months old and then showed signs of autism not too long later in life but no more than past three years of age, I think it can make it very difficult to diagnose. But a diagnoses can still be given but to me I don't really care if someone truly has it or not. It only matters what symptoms they have that are associated with autism and the help they need. I have seen several people like that online.
_________________ Son: Diagnosed w/anxiety and ADHD. Also academic delayed.
I remember, when I was about 4 years old, falling from a cloths pole, hitting my head on the wagon I climbed up from, and was unconscious for a short while.
I've haven't paid much attention to possible implications, but I think I'll spend some time on that now.
Joined: 24 Feb 2012 Age: 50 Gender: Male Posts: 2,143 Location: New Orleans, LA
02 Oct 2016, 6:56 pm
No. A concussion cannot cause autistic spectrum disorders. It is possible to produce autism like symptoms, but not autism, and there are overlaps in diagnostic criteria...
Joined: 26 Jun 2016 Age: 28 Gender: Male Posts: 328
03 Oct 2016, 4:32 am
No, but it can possibly increase the severity of already existing symptoms.
_________________ I want to apologize to the entire forum. I have been a terrible person, very harsh and critical. I still hold many of my views, but I will tone down my anger and stop being so bigoted and judgmental. I can't possibly know how you see things and will stop thinking I know everything you all think.
Joined: 15 Dec 2015 Age: 20 Gender: Non-binary Posts: 2,658 Location: Maine
03 Oct 2016, 9:18 am
[color=#002ff] Hell, no. [/color]
_________________ ever changing evolving and growing I am pieplup i have level 3 autism and a number of severe mental illnesses. I am rarely active on here anymore. I run a discord for moderate-severely autistic people if anyone would like to join. You can also contact me on discord @Pieplup or by email at [email protected]
Joined: 31 Jul 2016 Age: 61 Gender: Male Posts: 271 Location: USA
03 Oct 2016, 9:31 am
I've heard of parents who believe their child's autism was caused by head injuries as a baby. They are wrong of course but maybe they don't want to believe this because symptoms often don't become evident until age 2-3.
Joined: 1 Sep 2015 Age: 48 Posts: 438 Location: California
05 Oct 2016, 4:14 pm
I think autism is something one is born with, even if it's not diagnosed at birth or before the first birthday. Concussions are more likely to lead to traumatic brain injury, which can be as severe as having a stroke as far as what it does to the brain.
Joined: 16 Jun 2016 Gender: Male Posts: 41 Location: Far far away
06 Oct 2016, 3:36 am
My neurologist once told me that he felt twice on the head violently: it must have been a concussion or a contusion and he has no particuliar problems: he even became a doctor! So i think traumatic brain injury is as severe as a stroke in certain cases or if it is cumulative! For tbi causing autism i think it can produce certain symptoms that mimic autism but not be the main cause... After i think this question should be asked to a neurologist or neuropsychologist...